Spanish banks ' commissions: what they charge and what can be challenged

Spanish Banking Commission: what regulates the law

The Commission is a fee for a service: sending a transfer, currency exchange, account management, card issuance, credit application evaluation. The Bank can separately transfer to you the costs it paid to third parties for the service. The Commissions can be one general payment (pack) or separate write-offs. [1].

The size of the commissions is free, and the Bank of Spain does not permit, prohibit or restrict them. [1]The Commission is only allowed for a service that you have ordered or accepted and only if it is actually provided or the costs are confirmed. [1].

What makes money: the main types of commissions

• Mantenimiento de cuentaThe law does not limit the amount of the transaction to the basic transaction (induction and withdrawal of cash, issuance of checkbooks, registration of movements). [2].
• Administración de cuenta: fixed amount per record in the period. Some banks do not charge it for the first few entries or for certain types of transactions (e.g. cash input) [3].
• Translation:: Order commission, more often than percentage of minimum amount, for instant transfer usually fixed amount [4].
• Cancellation, return or modification of translation Uncorrect or incomplete: a separate commission, listed by the Bank of Spain [15].
• Cash withdrawal in the ATM and card payment abroad: the commissions depend on your bank and country [11][12].

Translations: What is paid by the sender and the recipient

The bank can take over the transfer. The cost may be borne by the sender (OUR), the recipient (BEN) or both (SHA). [4][5]If a respondent bank is involved, the sender ’s bank must warn that it can take its own expenses [5]The condition under which the bank is entitled to take the commission: you were informed in advance of the conditions and you accepted them, whether or not they were taken in. [4]I'll give you more details: payments and transfers to Spain from CIS countries, What IBAN and SEPA are.

Bankomats and maps

In Spain, the owner of the ATM cannot take the commission directly from you, but can transfer it to the bank that issued the card and take it from you or keep it on. The amount must be displayed on the screen before the cash is released, and you can refuse and find another ATM. [11].

If the ATM is your bank's, the withdrawal from the debit card is usually free of charge, and the credit bank takes the commission more often, and if the ATM is foreign, the bank can transfer to you no more than the ATM owner took from it, the credit can also be obtained by its own contract commission. [11].

The Bank of Spain has cited the foreign exchange commission as examples, and the cash collection commission as between 4 and 5 per cent of the sum, and the owner of the ATM can add his fee and the exchange rate includes a margin. [12]These are examples, not tariffs, of specific banks.

Cuenta de pago básica: ceiling 3 me and when it is free

Banks offering payment accounts are obliged to offer cuenta de pago básica to those legally resident in the EU, asylum-seekers and those without a residence permit but expulsion is not possible. [8]For this account, the maximum general commission 3 a month, the Bank of Spain is entitled to review every two years. [6]. It includes unlimited use of some services (opening, maintaining, closing, entering cash in euros, withdrawals at ATMs, debit card payments) and 120 payments per year in the EU (direct write-offs and transfers). Over the limit, the bank is not entitled to charge more than average commissions for such transactions. The bank can shift the withdrawal fee to someone else's ATM [6].

The bill is free for people in vulnerable situations: all owners must meet the income limit of the family under IPREM and have no real estate other than basic housing and shares in commercial societies. Bank decides within 30 days, refusals are given in writing and, if silent, the application is considered accepted. [7]Bank refusal must be given in writing with reasons no later than 10 working days after full application [8]I'm just saying, the opening of the account is: Opening of an account at the Spanish bank.

How to know how much you pay and compare

The bank is required to provide you with a document with commissions for model services (Documento informativo de las commissiones) free of charge and in advance of the conclusion of the contract, and once a year send an estado de commissiones: all commissions for the year on account and interest information [8]. In January, the Bank of Spain sends these documents for the past year and a separate resume on loans and other services. The document comes personally to everyone, including each co-borrower. [10].

In addition, banks publish quarterly commissions for the most frequent services in a single format (Orden EA/2899/2011 and Circular 5/2012), and the Bank of Spain hosts them. This information is not linked to the statistical and banking information, so your contract and commission document remain crucial. [9]I can compare the accounts commissions with the comparator of the Bank of Spain. [2].

What Can Be Challenged

• The commission for a service you did not order or accept or for a service that was not provided [1].
• Change of terms without notice two months for payment services and one month for others if the contract is longer [1].
• Write-off of direct debit if the amount has not been identified in advance and exceeds reasonably expected: the time period for repayment is eight weeks from the date of write-off, the bank shall, within 10 working days, return or justify the refusal [13].
• Unapproved transaction: Notify the bank without undue delay and not later than 13 months from the date of write-off [13].

How to file a complaint with the Bank of Spain and the Bank, described on the client's Portal [13]The complaint is written on the merits, with an application of the treaty and an extract.

Typical Errors

• To think the commission is normal because "so is everyone": size is free, but the service has to be ordered and explained [1].
• Do not read the commission document before opening the account: its bank is required to provide free and advance copies of the bill [8].
• Comparison of service commissions only: in fact, the role of administration, transfers, withdrawal of cash and foreign exchange terms is played [2][3][12].
• Press "consent" on the ATM screen without looking at the amount: you can refuse to issue [11].
• Do not check annual estado de comitions: it contains all annual write-offs [10].
• Not knowing about the cuenta de pago básica: she has a ceiling of 3 me a month. [6].

When Individual Review Is Needed

If the write-offs are not consistent with the contract, the bank has changed the terms without warning, you cannot open the account, you have mortgage and related account, or the foreign currency transfer commission seems to be disproportionate. We do not call and recommend specific banks: conditions change, they need to be checked according to your contract. If you only issue a residence permit, the steps are based on the review. Residence permit in Barcelona, and the order for remote work on the route sheet DNV.

What can we help you with?

The NEXO team in Barcelona helps to figure out what documents the bank needs and to prepare a package: NIE, confirmation of residence, translations and apostilles. First consultation: 30 minutes free, full consultation: 121 I in 45 minutes. ConsultationI. Assistance with documents and records to: documents and escorts.

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The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.